North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston
In a pointed critique during the second stage of the Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill, MLA Timothy Gaston expressed strong opposition to the proposed salary increases for Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Gaston began by questioning the legitimacy of the process leading to the bill's introduction. "The process that it went through before appearing in the Order Paper was most irregular," he stated, highlighting that the consultation process fell short of the standard 12 weeks recommended by Executive Office guidance, lasting only 11 weeks, including the Christmas holidays.
He further criticised the Assembly Commission for limiting consultation to parties represented on the Commission, thereby excluding public input and opposition parties.
"The Assembly Commission decided to consult only the parties that have representation on the Commission and never dared to let the public or, indeed, parties that are not on the Commission see the proposals, much less have their say," Gaston remarked.
The bill, according to Gaston, was evidently designed to secure a significant pay rise for MLAs, with the parties involved signing off on the document. "It was the intention of Sinn Féin, the DUP, the UUP, Alliance, and the SDLP to award themselves a massive pay rise," he said, noting the immediate appointment of an Ad Hoc Committee to consider the bill, potentially dominated by those same parties.
While acknowledging some sensible provisions in the bill, such as the removal of certain restrictive rules by the remuneration board, Gaston took issue with clauses that would benchmark MLA salaries against those of higher-paid counterparts in other UK and Irish legislatures.
He argued, "If, as clause 3 stipulates, the remuneration board must have regard to the salaries payable in other legislatures, where Members earn more than MLAs currently, the parties who introduced the Bill did so thinking that the money was already in the bank."
Gaston also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly with clause 5, which would allow former MLAs to sit on the remuneration board. "Such a situation cannot be allowed to go unchallenged," he insisted, pointing out the inherent bias this could introduce.
In response to comments by MLA Clarke about the financial pressures on younger MLAs, Gaston retorted with a comparison to the public's economic situation.
"Not many people who are on carer's allowance will have much time for sob stories about MLAs struggling to raise their families on the £52,500 before tax that every MLA gets," he said, underscoring the disparity between MLA compensation and the broader public's financial reality.
He concluded his speech with a critique of the Assembly's legislative scope, arguing that MLAs do not deserve pay parity with other legislatures given their limited legislative influence. "Unless or until Members of this House have the self-respect to reclaim those laws, we should not be treated like any other legislature," Gaston stated, vowing to oppose the bill.
His remarks underscore a significant debate in Northern Ireland's political sphere, reflecting broader concerns about transparency, accountability, and the equitable distribution of public funds.